ROCK 'N' ROLL NEWS

ROCK 'N' ROLL NEWS

Despite the deluge of solo LPs from the individual Macs, it’s full steam ahead for Fleetwood Mac, with a new LP due out early in ’82, and a tour scheduled—by summer, anyway. “A lot of people seem to want to hear that we’re breaking up,” commented Mick Fleetwood. “Sorry to have to disappoint them ” Re Tusk: “In terms of artistic importance and the health of the band, I think it did „¶

wonders for us.”

After1 months of dealing with ?j' political violence and other problems at their concerts, the Specials—the band that kicked off England’s 2-Tone ska crazehave broken up. The split came shortly after the band scored the biggest hit of their career in the U.K. with “Ghost Town,” which became something of an anthem for Britain’s young during the recent riots there. The Specials did reunite for one hour on a Friday afternoon in October, but, according to group ' member Roddy Radiation: “It 1 was no good—all the old problems came back, so we split again.” It was probably the shortest reunion;* in the history of rock’n’roll. - -jfl

Elvis Costello will tour over here in January, but only three cities are in the bespectacled one’s tour plans: New York, Nashville and Los Angeles. Rumors are a-flying in England that this is to be a , “Farewell” tour, so attendance is 1 mandatory tor Eivoid freaks..,’

Walt Disney Studios are making a new science-fiction film called Tron. Scoring the film will be none other than noted transsexual and synthesizer wiz, Wendy Carlos, who scored hit albums in the late 6Q’s with Switched On Bach and A Clockwork Orange. Wendy was known as Walter Carlos back then. Uncle Walt must be turning cartwheels in his grave.

Queen’s next single, “Under * Pressure,” will be a collaborative effort with David Bowie. The collaboration happened when Bowie stopped in at Mountain Recording Studios in Montreux, I Switzerland, where Queen was ' jj working on their next studio LP. There is no truth to the rumor that Brian Eno will join Molly Hatchet on that band’s next LP.

The Gity of Los Arfgetes unveiled a six-foot, bronze statue of the late John Lennon on October 9, which would have been Lennon’s 41st birthday. The statue will remain in front of the L. A. City Hall for five years, and will then be moved to Strawberry Fields, the section of New York City’s Centra! Park that has been dedicated to the former Beatle’s memory.

The second phase of the pretenders’ current North * ,

American tour was postponed when drummer Martin fpiiainbers put his hand through a jammed window in a Philadelphia

hotel room, severing a tendon. The irrepressible Chambers was spotted at several NYC nlteries with his “ wounded paw, including the opening of a bowling alley/rock club, while Chrissie prowled backstage at the Kinks’ Madison I Square Garden show. The Pretenders’ tour will, if all goes well, be resumed in January.

Ross The Boss” Funicello (formerly lead guitarist for seminal “punk” band, the Dictators) recently called us to inform readers* that he has a hew New York band called Man O’ War. Funicello was previously the leader of Shaldn* Street, a heavy metal band, which broke up a little over a year ago. Watch fot[ an LP from Man O’ War on EMI this January,

Producer Rob Freeman also recently used the telephone to let us know that he shared co-production chores with Richard Gottehrer on the Go-Go's debut album, Beauty And The Beat. Freeman wanted to clear up stories that mentioned only Gottehrer as producer of the smash LP.

Consider it done, Rob.

Looks like original members of Mott The Hoople may be reunited later this year for a.J| one-shot album or show to pay tribute to the late Gay Stevens, who managed and produced the

band. Check out the Ian Hunter feature in this issue for more details.

Guitarist Dennis Robbins has left Detroit’s Rockets, and now the band will function as a five-piece, sezthey. It’s not as neat as all that, though: Robbins is suing the band for “money owed.” Official comment from Johnny Bee” Badanjek: “1 would like to state that Robbins’ decision to leave the band was absolutely voluntary, and that while he was with the group he shared equally in all disbursements and financial* information, including what monies were earned and spent. He has therefore knowingly exaggerated the band’s financial situation. The lawsuit is totally groundless; Robbins owes the band and its management an apology. If the band had made $400,000 in the last two months, as was printed in the paper. I’d be in Madrid.” Legal footnote: Robbins is being represented by Jerry Fieger, Detroit lawyer and Dong “Knack” Fieger’s brother. Financial footnote: some dates on the Rockets’ tour are being underwritten by Ford Motor Company, who are anxious to win over the younger set, as “eight out of 10 college graduates buy foreign cars,” instead of Mustangs of Si Lynxes.

In The Studio

NEW YORK, N. Y. -Skyline S Studios: Steve Forbert, the sfej Fleshtones; Masterdisk: Rush, If SpyroGyra; WHITE PLAINS,

N. Y. — Minto Studios: the Bee Gees; LOS ANGELES,

CA—Record Plant: Neil Diamond, Molly Hatchet; Wally Heider Recording: Leo Sayer, Mickey Gilley; Westlake Audio: Billy Idol, Dav£ Masort, Prince; Group IV Recordings: Count Basie; HENDERSONVILLE, TN-Doc’s Place; Leon Russell, Dash Crofts, NASHVILLE, TN-Woodland Sound; Charlie Daniels Band, Steve Forbert; MORIN HEIGHTS, QUEBEC—Le Studio: the Police, Fluffo; EASTORANGE, N.J.Eastern Artists: the Asbury Jukes “Horns”; SAN FRANCISCO,

CA —Russian Hill Recording: Gary Brooker.

Sting to burst forth in another major motion picture, a “British thriller” called Brimstone & Treacle in which-he plays a “charismatic drifter” (Aren’t they all?). The soundtrack album will be by the Police, on A&M.

Capitol has reportedly sent the Motels back into the studio to re-recorded some of the cuts on their forthcoming LP—-the powers who be not being “totally satisfied” with a few songs.. .Similiar situation for Carlene Carter and Warner Bros who asked Mrs. Lowe to go back to the studio to revamp a few numbers; WB anxious for a Carter hit this time around,

Ringo Starr, who has been without a recording contract for several years, recently signed a long-term recording agreement with Casablanca mogul Neil Bogart’s Boardwalk label. His first album for the label, Stop And Smell The Roses should be out by the time you read this. Ringo is also slated to appear on a forthcoming tribute to John Lennon that Paul McCartney is reportedly preparing. Stevie Wonder will also join in, although both Elton John and George Harrison have declined due to prior recording commitments.

RECORD & RECORDING NEWS; Bomp Records (which recently went international by opening a London office) will release The Original Modem Lovers, a collection of early recordings by Jonathan Richman and his first version of the Lovers, which featured Jerry Harrison, now of Talking Heads, and Dave Robinson of the Cars. The sessions were produced by, L. A. weirdo Kim Fowley prior to the John Cale sessions that were " released on the Lovers’ first Berserkley LP. Two of the Richman-Fowley songs appeared last year on Troublemakers, a Warners mail order new wave anthology... Rhino Records is releasing “Best Of’ anthologies by the Beau Brummels (“Just A Little,” “Laugh, Laugh”) and the / Bobby Fuller Four (“1 Fought The Law,” “Love’s Made A Fool”). Ric Ocasek and lan Taylor have produced a four-song EP for Romeo Void (415 Records) at the Cars studio in Boston.. .but for his Gefifen solo LP, willful Ric put his foot down and is recording it on the West Coast, away from his zillion dollar playtoy.

New solo LPs from Dave Edmunds and Nick Lowe after the first of the year. New Split Enz album on A&M set for January release: Frenzy. Warner Bros, have signed U.K. darlings Soft Cell, apd Depeche Mode. The mighty WB is now distributing Eric Clapton, whose RSO contract expired.

... Stevie Wonder is recording a memorial song for the recentlyassassinated Anwar Sadat. ’ j Wonder was invited to Sadat’s funeral by the Egyptian President’s widow, but was unable to attend. In the same vein Paul Simon’s next LP will feature “The Late Great Johnny Ace,” which deals with Johnny Ace (one of the original rock stars who killed himself during a game of Russian Roulette in the Mid^SO’s) and John Lennon.

The Paley Brothers are back as the Young Jacques. The band has released ite first single,

“Jacques Cousteau” b/w “Sink Or Swin,” on the independent Ambition label. Andy Paley, an original member of the Sidewinders which also featured a young Billy Squier, handles the record’s lead vocals and production, while brother Jonathan Paley adds rhythm guitar. Andy has spent the past several years as a staff writer for Warner Brothers Music.

Utopia bassist Kasim Sulton is putting the finishing touches.on a solo album for EMI. The LP will reportedly feature Earth, Wind & Fire’s horn section.

The latest installment of last month’s Squeeze play is thus: to replace the keyboard-playing Paul Carrack, who’s off crooning with Carlene Carter, the boys have chosen former Sincere Don Snow. They are also responsible for a Stars On 45 knock-off you may have heard if you live near a “hip” radio station: Squabs On 45, which includes four of the Squeezies’ best songs. Don’t get too excited yet: if s available only on import so far...

r Sultry 60’s songstresses Sandie Shaw and Dusty Springfield in the news? Yes, if only to note that Dusty has taken up residence in Toronto, buying a house in that swinging N. American city, and Sandie has embarked on a tour of Australia, which may be good news (eventually) for U.S. fans of the “Girl Don’t Come” girl, who’s ' enjoyed a bit of a revival lately thanks to Chrissie Hynde’s early live versions of Shaw hits. ..

Alfa Records looks like it’s successfully reviving Burton Cummings’ career, after giving Lulu a smasho hit. Who do they think they are, Arista?

The crowd reaction to Prince’s opening gig for the Rolling Stones in L. A. was a thumbsdown, causing him to pull out of opening for the Stones on other dates, notably the Detroit/Pontiac Silverdome show, where he was replaced by Iggy and the Stray Cats...

Aretha Franklin to film a new version of Frankie & Johnny for Home Box Office, to air in January.. .no word on who’ll play Johnny yet, but who could ever top the Donna Douglas /Elvis Presley version of this chestnut?

Captain Beefkeart has a new LP slated for Christmas release, with the same band he used on Doc At The Radar Station.

Rod Stewart reportedly on bad terms with many after ignoring the British government’s plea to boycott performances in segregated South Africa. Stewart cited British pop star Cliff Richard’s recent performances there as a good excuse, saying “Cliff is pretty religious; he wouldn’t do anything wrong.” Rod will reportedly make $2 million on his African performance.